Electrolytic cell.



E. A. 1; H. I. ALLEN.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLIUATION TILED AUG. 23, 1907.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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ELECTROLYTIG CELL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23,1907.

Lwpffiqfi Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

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' swarm A. ALLEN A171) Bahamas: 1. ALLEN, or PORTLAND, MAINE, Assnmons,B'Y

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ELECTRON CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE,

A communion or mama.

ELECTROLYTIC I Specification of as... Patent. Application filed August23, 1907. Serial No. 389,826.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known'that we, EDWARD A. ALLEN andHERBERT I. ALLEN, of Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State ofMaine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectrolyticCells, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to electrolytic cells of the Moore and Allentype, in which the cathode is unsubmerged and in which the electrolyteercolates from the anode chamber throu a diaphra m into contact with thecatho e. One of t e greatest difficulties that has always been met within the o eration of electrolytic cells. is the back perco ation of thecathol te into the anode chamber and the electro ysis of thehypochlorites formed leadin to the destruction of theanodes. Anotheritiiculty arises from the constant electrolytic action which goes on inthe cell, for, as the electrolyte becomes impoverished of salt, thewater is electrolyzed, givin off oxygen at the anode, and causing thedestruction of the anodes.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these evils and this isaccomplished in accordance with our invention by constructing the anodein such manner that there is a constant circulation of the electrolytein the anode chamber; and secondly, in supplying salt to the anodechamber to be taken upv as the electrolyte becomes impoverished, andthirdly, limiting the active surface of the cathode to the area of thediaphragm through which percolation takes place, so that the product ofthe electrolysis may be readily removed.

In addition thereto, the invention has further for its object to preventthe deterioration and destruction of the dia hragm by providing meansfor resisting t e outward hydrostatic ressure of the electrolyte in theAccording to the illus 'trated embodiment of the invention, this is Ellsecured by providing braces which bear against the cathode on its outersurface and prevent it and the diaphragm from bendmg outward, withoutchecking or retarding the electrolytic action or the discharge of thecatholyte.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodimentof the invention and to which it will be understood the invention is notlimited, Figure 1: represents an electrolytic cell which ma beconsidered as the preferred form of t e inventlon. Fig. 2 represents anend elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a vertical transversesection through the cell. Fig. 4 represents a vertical longitudinalsection through the cell. Fig. 5 represents the construction of themultiple anode. Fig. 6 represents the supports for the anode as bemgformed thereon.

Referring to said drawings, the cell body is constructed with end walls10 and side walls, or what we term free boards, 11, which connect theend walls at their upper portions. The end walls are secured to a bottomwall or plate 12, the walls 10, 11, 12, being all formed of slate orother suitable materiahsuch as cement, which will withstand theelectrolytic action. Secured to the side faces of the bottom plate 12and the end walls and to the outer faces of the free boards, or sidebars 11, are the diaphragms 13 which are preferably formed of one ormore layers of asbestos paper or other material which will permitcomparatively free percolation of the electrol te which is containedwithin the cell. The c iaphragms are secured in place by rectangularframes 14: which are preferably made of metal such as iron, there beingbetween these frames and the mar ins of the diaphragms, gaskets 15 ofrub er or other insulating material. The margins of the diaphragms alsooverlap gaskets 16 of insulatlng material which are secured to the edgesof the end walls 13, the side bars 11, and the bottom plate 12. Theframes 14 are attached to the cell by clamps 17 which bear againstflanges or strips 18 attached to the sidebars and against flanges on theupper longitudinal bars of the frame, said clam 5 being secured in placeby screws 19. T 0 lower longitudinal bars of the frames 14 are clampedto the base plate by U-shaped clamps 20 and screws 21 passed throu h theupturned ends thereof and engaging anges on the lower bars of saidframes. In addition, we may ample similar clamps 22 which extend acrosst is ends of the cell as shown in Fig. 2 with screws 23 engaging flangeson the upright bars of the frames 14. The construction thus fardescribed,

provides an anode chamber forthe reception of the anode and anelectrolyte consisting of any saline solution which it is desired 7 toelectrolyze. The cathode consists of several (two or more) layers offoraminous material such as wire gauze capable of maintaining in itspores or interstices a body of the catholyte. -These cathodes areindicated at 24, and they are placed with their inner faces against theouter faces of the diaphragms. The edges or margins of the cathodes arebent outwardly at right angles to their active faces, as clearly shownin Fig. 3, and these outwardly projecting margins or edges are secnredtothe inner faces of the rectangular frames 14 by clamping bars 25 andscrews 26. In accordance with this construction,

the active faces of the cathodes are limited "escape into the room inwhich the cells are installed, we attach to the outer edges of theframes 14, plates 27 which are clamped in place by small rectangularframes 28 and screws 29; and for the purpose of preventing thediaphragms and cathodes from yielding outward under hydrostatic pressureof the solution contained in the anode chamber, we

provide at various points braces 30. Each brace consists of a small rodwhich is bent i to substantially [Ll-shaped with its ends attached tothe plate so that its middle por tion bears against the cathode. Insteadof having one brace extending the entire height of the cathode, wepreferably employ two or more to gain additional strength.

It will be seen that on each side of the cell there is a rectangularframe to. which is secured the cathode and the outer plate 27, so thatthe cathode chamber thus formed and the attached cathode may be removedas a unit, so as to expose the diaphragm and permit its renewal orreplacement. In practice, the hollow frame, the cathode, the brace rods30 and the outer plate are all assembled and secured together, so that,when. the diaphragm has been stretched across the open side of the anodechamber, the assembled parts are clamped against the edgesof thediaphragm. This constitutes one of the advantageous features of ourcell.

The anode chamber is closed at the top by i a cover 33 which is lutedin'place, there extending from the cover a conduit 34 fior the gas whichis given ed in the anode chamber,

The anode is what we term a multiple anode, being so constructed as topermit of chamber.

electric generator.

the circulation or the'electrolyte in the anode It consists of parallelbars 35 35 of carbon or-graphite whlch are separated to leave acomparatively large open space between their confrontin innertaces. ;Attheir upper edges these ars are dove-tailed as at 36, to receivedove-tailed crossbar-s 37 which are likewise formed of carbon orgraphite. These cross-bars serve to connect the parallel bars 35 and tohold them in proper relation. Preferably, though not necessarily, thebars 35 are each longitudinally divided into sections indicated at a andb, which are separated by a passageway c. In this event, we employadditional crossbars 38 which are oppositely dove-tailed to engagedove-tail grooves in the sections a and b of the side bars of theanodes. The exposed outer faces of the side bars of the anode may besubstantially equal in area to the faces of the diaphragms which areexposed to the electrolyte, although. we preferably have the exposedarea of the faces of the anode somewhat less than the exposed face of.the diaphragm and the active faces of the cathodesr The anode rests uponsupports 39 which may take the form of glass-bars of any s'uitable shapeto elevate the anode above the bottom plate of the cell. These supportsmay however, be formed of downward projections X on the plates as shownin Fig. 6.

The cross bars 37 38 of the anode have apertures 40 41 into which extendspindles or bars 42 which arej formed of carbon or graphite, and whichextend upwardly through the cover 33 as illustrated in Fig. 4.Preferably these bars or spindles 42 are relatively large in crosssection so as to reduce their resistance and enable usto use a currentof relatively low voltage. The cover is provided with an upstandingflange 43 around the projecting portion of each bar or minals ofelectric connectors which connect the anodes-with the cathodes of anadjacent cell or with the positive pole of a suitable The anode of the.next adjacent cell or the negative pole of the generator, is connectedto mercury cups 46 which are electrically connected with the metallic'frames 14, hereinbefore described,

which are in electrical contactor connection with the cathodes, thelatter. being pressed thereagainst by the clampingbars'25.

In order that the'electrolyte may be maintained at its highest point ofsaturation, we provide means for continuously s'u plying from theinterior of the anodechamber, the salt of "which the solution is made;This takes the form-{in the present case, of

its

a basket or receptacle 50 which is made of hard rubber, earthenware,glass or any other material which will withstand the action of thechlorin liquor and gas, and it is provided with numerous perforations sothat the electrolyte may pass throu h it; This receptacle or basket isplaced etween the side bars of the anode near the top thereof where theelectrolyte is weakest, and it is supported by a tube 51 which depends'from the cover 33. This tube may be made of the same material as thatof which the basket or receptacle is formed, and it is provided at itsupper end with an outwardly and downwardly extending flange 52 whichdips into a lute 53 on the top of the cover 33. A removable cap 54 alsoextends into said lute so as to prevent the escape of gas from the cellinto the atmos here. The normal level of the electrolyte 1n the cell isindicated by the transverse dotted line a: in

Fig. 4, although this level will be raised as the. diaphragm becomesmore or less clogged so as to secure the same percolation of theelectrolyte through the diaphragm, but in any event it is above theupper edges of the anode. The lower bent end of the tube 51, however, isbelow the level of the electrolyte in the anode chamber so that, whenthe cap 54: is removed for the purpose to be described, there ispractically no escape of gas from the cell. In the receptacle is placed,as previously stated, a quantity of salt, to which fresh salt is addedfrom time to time, so that there is always maintained in the basket orreceptacle a quantity of salt which is accessible to the electrolyte inthe anode chamber. Preferably, the salt which we employ is chemicallypure to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into the cell.

The electrolyte is introduced into the cell in any usual. or convenientmanner through a conduit 55 into which the flow of the electrolyte isgoverned by a float valve located in a receiving tank with which theconduit is connected (not shown). The catholyte is Withdrawn from theexterior of the cathode by conduits leading from the bottom of thechamber formed by the plate 29, the "frames 14 and the diaphragms andcathodes.

In operation, the anions are given off on the outer faces of the sidebars of the anodes and the ebullition which results causes an upwardflow of the electrolyte through the space between the diaphragm and thesaid outer faces of the anode. This results'in a downward flow of theelectrolyte throu h the passageway between the side bars of t e anode, apart or the electrolyte assing outward through passageways c c etweenthe sections a and "0 of the side bars. As the electrolyte thuscirculates within the anode chamber, entirel around the anode, the moreim overis ed part thereof passes through t e receptacle 50 or in contactwith tact with the cathodes and the cations, which are liberatedthereat, are washed down, the liberation of the cations continuing asthe catholyte flows down through and on the faces of the cathodes. Moreor less hydrogen is liberated on the outer faces of the cathodes, andthis gas is carried oft through conduits 60. The liberation of thehydrogen serves to break up any hypochlorites which are formed on thecathodes andassists in preventing the same from working backward intothe anode chamber.

We propose to use as many of the baskets or receptacles 50 as may benecessary although we have shown but one as that is probably suflicientfor a cell of the size indicated. a

The circulation within the-cell of the electrolyte, as herein described,not only keeps the strength of the electrolyte uniform, as the devicefor holding the salt allows free access of the brine thereto, but at thesame time it keeps undissolved salt away from the active parts of thecathode and thus prevents mechanical wear.

Having thus described the nature of our said invention, although withoutattempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made or allof the modes of its use, what we claim is:

1. In an electrolytic cell, a cell body com prising bottom, end andupper side walls, a diaphragm overlappin said walls, a cathode chambersuperimposet upon the margin of said diaphragm, a cathode having itsmarginal edges secured to the cathode chamber to be removable therewith,and an insulating asket interposed between the cathode cham er and thediaphragm.

2. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising horizontally separatedplates havmg an open space between them, each plate being longitudinallydivided into vertically separated sections for the circulation of theelectrolyte, cross bars connecting said plates and sections thereof, andcathodes adjacent the outer faces of said plates.

3. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising separated plates havingan open space between them, each plate being longitudinally divided intoseparate sections, means connecting said plates together and alsoconnecting the sections of each plate, and cathodes adjacent the outerfaces of said plates.

4. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, supports in the cell chamber, andan anode in said chamber resting on said supports so as to be separatedfrom the bottom of said chamber by a free space, said anode comprisingvertically arranged substantially parallel plates extendinglongitudinally of said chamber and having their inner faces confronting,and whose upper edges are be low the normal level of the electrolyte inthe anode chamber for the circulation of the electrolyte.

5.- An anode for an electrolytic bell, comprising parallel separatedplates, cross bars connecting said plates, and bars orspindlesintroduced into apertures in said cross bars and a cathode adjacent theouter face 0 eachof said plates.

6. An anode for an electrolytic cell, comprising parallel separatedpiates each divided longitudinally into sections, cross bars connectingsaid plates and said sections, and bars or spindles introduced intoapertures in said cross bars, and a cathode adjacentthe outer face ofeach of said plates.

7. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an anode therein comprising flatplates spaced from the to bottom and sides of said chamber an havingspaced confronting faces to permit a vertical circulation of theelectrolyte between and over and under said plates, and a saltreceptacle withinsaid chamber and disposed in the path of circulation ofsaid electrolyte for the continuous saturation of the electrolyte.

8. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an anode therein comprisingparallel fiat plates spaced from the top, bottom and sides of saidchamber and having spaced confront ing faces to permit a verticalcirculation of the electrolyte between over and under said plates, and asalt receptacle disposed between said plates in the-path of thecirculation of the electrolyte.

9. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, an

anode therein comprising parallel fiat plates.

spaced from the top, bottom'and sides of said .chamber and having spacedconfronting faces to permit avertical circulation of the electrolytebetween said plates, a cover for said chamber, a tube supported by anddepending from said cover, a salt receptacle aeraaee.

below said tube and arranged in the space between theconfronting facesof said plates.

10. In an electrolytic cell, a chamber, a cover therefor a pair ofseparated parallel fiat anode members extending longitudinally of thechamber and spaced from the top, bottom and sides of said chamber,alongitudinally extended salt receptacle, a cover for the chamber, atube extending through the cover for delivering salt to said'recep-'t-acle, and a luted cap for closing the upper end of the tube.

11. An electrolytic cell, comprising an open side anode chamber, ananode therein, a diaphragm across the open side of said chamber, and acathode chamber comprising a. frame andouter plate clamped against themargin of saiddiaphragm, and a cathode having its edgessecured to thesaid frame so that said frame plate and cathode form a removable unit.

12. In an electrolytic cell, a cell body comprising bottom, end andupper side walls, a diaphragm overlapping said walls, a cathode chambersuperimposed upon the margin of said diaphragm and a cathode having itsedges separated from said diaphragm and secured to the walls'of thecathode chamber to be removable therewith as a unit;

13. In an electrolytic cell,- a cell body comprising bottom, end andupper side walls, a diaphragm overlapping said side walls, a hollowframe superimposed upon themargin of said diaphragm, a cathode formed offoraminous material having its active face against the active portion ofsaid diaphragm and its edges bent outward to lie inside said frame, andmeans-for securing said edges to said frame.

In testimony whereof we have afiixed our signatures, in presence of twowitnesses.

EDVVABD A. ALLEN.

-HERBERT I. ALLEN. Witnesses: 4

M. )3. MAY, 1?. Prizznrrr.

